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zaliukas's block...


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WARNING

The following is my opinion and does not reflect the views of other members of this board.

 

 

 

Zaliukas had a dismal start to the season, but since Berra moved to Wolves and Neilson returned to RB the back four with a Zaliulaks/Karapedis CB partnership has looked much stronger. Also Karapedis looks better at CB than as the defensive midfielder.

 

Nice to see Rayn McGowan starting to get a place on the bench, too.

 

 

And our midfield looks better without a defender in it

 

Quelle surprise

 

Glad it is all sorting itself out though....

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He comes from the same country as that idiot Romanov, so never it would seem :hammer:

 

The first sensible statement you have posted,ever.

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He comes from the same country as that idiot Romanov, so never it would seem :hammer:

quite possibly. i know hearts fans who still refer to miko as a cheating (insert profanity here).

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HillmanHearts

Hope we hang on to Zal.

 

Still has some rough edges - but the good far outweighs the not-so good.

 

The guy is a talented Centre-back.

 

Lots of folk either can't see it or just don't want to see it !

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quite possibly. i know hearts fans who still refer to miko as a cheating (insert profanity here).

 

And I wish we had never got rid of Velicka

 

So where is this theorising going?

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WARNING

The following is my opinion and does not reflect the views of other members of this board.

 

 

 

Zaliukas had a dismal start to the season, but since Berra moved to Wolves and Neilson returned to RB the back four with a Zaliulaks/Karapedis CB partnership has looked much stronger. Also Karapedis looks better at CB than as the defensive midfielder.

 

Nice to see Rayn McGowan starting to get a place on the bench, too.

 

 

Yes, our defence has looked very strong at times since Berra left. Karipidis, Neilson and Wallace have been consistently excellent since then - and Zaliukas has mixed up some utter nonsense with some great games - such as Saturday's.

 

And our midfield looks better without a defender in it

 

Quelle surprise

 

Glad it is all sorting itself out though....

 

Palazuelos has been excellent recently. His positional sense has been spot on and he has started to move the ball on more quickly, caught in possession much less.

 

The last couple of games have started to see the team 'work' with Elliot able to both hold the ball and distribute it - rather than Nade just holding the ball. Elliot's return has helped all other areas of the team.

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And I wish we had never got rid of Velicka

 

So where is this theorising going?

 

100% agree re. Velicka

 

Think you will find, tho, cos it doesnt fit in with their agenda, your point will be totally ignored...

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And I wish we had never got rid of Velicka

 

So where is this theorising going?

i wasn't referring to you personally... i don't know you. i'm just saying that i know hearts fans who still insist miko is a cheating ****.

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i wasn't referring to you personally... i don't know you. i'm just saying that i know hearts fans who still insist miko is a cheating ****.

 

nah, he's just gash :qqb007:

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The best thing about the block was that it came after he had charged up the field again to try and join the attack. Nade lost it and he was completely caught out of possession. In the past he probably would have just jogged back but he showed a lot of determination with getting back in the first place and then throwing himself at the shot.

He just needs to keep the head because when he does, he's a decent defender.

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I'm in the process of changing my mind about big Zal, and delighted that he has removed the "bombscare" moments from his game of late.

 

I'd also praise him for the complete lack of petulance, never anywhere near a booking on Saturday.

 

Great run, and he did the right thing taking the ball on and shooting, Boruc did well to keep it out.

 

Csaba's a bloody genius.

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LloydtheBartender
He has only been back in the team for a handful of games ... & Saturday was the first time I would say he had a good performance

 

he was outstanding at ibrox a few weeks back better in fact than he was on saturday

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scott herbertson
I thought Zaliukas looked good at the weekend.

 

He still thinks he is better than he is with some of those ridiculous long passes he tried.

 

But he'll need to keep this form up until the end of the season to convince me he has turned any sort of corner.

 

I do like a defender that can bring the ball forward of his own accord as his run showed at the weekend. Such play can make a real attacking difference on the rare occasions it occurs.

 

However, our star defender was surely Lee Wallace? Superb performance

 

I didn't see it that way at all - Wallace gave the ball away several times, leading to counter attacks by Celtic. He also had one great crossfield pass and a few good supporting runs. His tackling was good, but no better than the other defenders on Sunday. I watched him really closely because I find it hard to see why he is rated so highly.

 

Can't really see it, but I guess I'm outnumbered about 99 to 1!

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I didn't see it that way at all - Wallace gave the ball away several times, leading to counter attacks by Celtic. He also had one great crossfield pass and a few good supporting runs. His tackling was good, but no better than the other defenders on Sunday. I watched him really closely because I find it hard to see why he is rated so highly.

 

Can't really see it, but I guess I'm outnumbered about 99 to 1!

 

I felt that he defended well and added alot to the attack. He appears to have been given or has more confidence as an attacking full back and was arguably more effective down the left than Driver was in the game

 

But everyone did well and any MOTMs were marginal, particularly between defenders

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I felt that he defended well and added alot to the attack. He appears to have been given or has more confidence as an attacking full back and was arguably more effective down the left than Driver was in the game

 

But everyone did well and any MOTMs were marginal, particularly between defenders

 

Wallace is looking more and more like the player Alan Hutton became, the driving runs are hard for defenses to deal with.

 

The main reason that Flood started and Nakamura was benched was the strength of our left wing.

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It was straight at him.

 

Bruno's goal was nothing special, he just kicked the ball forward. :sorcerer:

 

It was straight at him after he bolted across the box and launched himself in front of the player just in time.

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It was straight at him after he bolted across the box and launched himself in front of the player just in time.

 

Yes, I know. It was an excellent bit of work from Big Zal.

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IMO Zali on Saturday, the previous week against Killie and, by all accounts, against der Hun showed 3 things previously lacking (which may be due to Csaba and/or perhaps to the departure of Berra) - discipline, concentration and (most importantly) team spirit. Long may it continue. And if it does, lets hope we get him on a long term contract, for there's no doubt he has a great deal of natural ability and he's young enough to continue to develop into a genuine star.

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Miller Jambo 60
every time zaliukas has a good game we see quite a lot of comments along the lines of "well done but we need to see more of that"... as if to suggest that he's had his first decent game of his hearts career.

 

well think again, he's been a quality performer for quite some time now and it's about time he was being given the praise he thoroughly deserves WITHOUT the little add-on caveats about how poor he has been in the past.

 

it's not necessary and detracts from the praise he's being given.

 

well done big Z. just you keep proving the doubters wrong.

 

Zal is a good player end off maybe due to the fact he is a lith.

Some sados round here.

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it's a fair enough point as there have been occasions this season where Zal has been awful but I still don't get the repeated comment that he repeatedly costs us goals I can remember a couple where the finger can be pointed in his direction but not repeatedly

 

David Obua Fan Club ... away man !!!

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every time zaliukas has a good game we see quite a lot of comments along the lines of "well done but we need to see more of that"... as if to suggest that he's had his first decent game of his hearts career.

 

well think again, he's been a quality performer for quite some time now and it's about time he was being given the praise he thoroughly deserves WITHOUT the little add-on caveats about how poor he has been in the past.

 

it's not necessary and detracts from the praise he's being given.

 

well done big Z. just you keep proving the doubters wrong.

 

Spot on buddy.

 

No matter how well big Zal plays - folk always have to come up with a lame "but......"

 

Here's some food for thought - Andy Driver cost us a goal within 25 second's due to his attempt at clearing the ball. Where's the thread tearing him apart for it? Nowhere to be seen, and why, because its unmerited. Not all mistakes in football require the torrents of abuse which seem to accompany those made by certain players, regardless of there contributions.

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Spot on buddy.

 

No matter how well big Zal plays - folk always have to come up with a lame "but......"

 

Here's some food for thought - Andy Driver cost us a goal within 25 second's due to his attempt at clearing the ball. Where's the thread tearing him apart for it? Nowhere to be seen, and why, because its unmerited. Not all mistakes in football require the torrents of abuse which seem to accompany those made by certain players, regardless of there contributions.

 

Balogh was more culpable but fair point.

 

Driver generally had a poor game, but he has done much more much more consistently in his time at Hearts than Zaliukas.

 

He's earned some leeway with the fans because of his generally consistent important contributions to the team over a 2 year period. He hasnt shown any attitude problems whatsoever and he hasnt petulantly or stupidly got sent off a few times

 

I appreciate that Zaliukas gets a harder time than some other players but if you are suggesting that Zaliukas has brought as much to the team as Driver has then that would be wrong

 

Zaliukas will, when he shows a continued run of form, get the same leeway. I can just about guarantee it.

 

And it isnt about Lithuanians. Elliot has been slaughtered on here. As has Obua. As has Stewart. As has Mole. As has/is Neilson.

 

And my personal view is that had we retained one Lithuanian in particular that we had last season we might be within striking distance of Rangers this year.

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LloydtheBartender
Balogh was more culpable but fair point.

 

 

don't agree. karapidis was at fault initially failling to attempt to win a ball that was most definately 'winable'. driver was then at fault for his attempted clearance and then balogh for not saving it.

 

a combination of errors from all 3 players cost us that goal on saturday and possibly the 3 points.

 

a poor, poor goal to concede, it really was schoolboy stuff

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Spot on buddy.

 

No matter how well big Zal plays - folk always have to come up with a lame "but......"

 

Here's some food for thought - Andy Driver cost us a goal within 25 second's due to his attempt at clearing the ball. Where's the thread tearing him apart for it? Nowhere to be seen, and why, because its unmerited. Not all mistakes in football require the torrents of abuse which seem to accompany those made by certain players, regardless of there contributions.

 

And the Killie goal when Invincible easily picked his pocket. but no hints of the word "bombscare". In fairness he is not a defender but nevertheless was culpable to a degree.

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don't agree. karapidis was at fault initially failling to attempt to win a ball that was most definately 'winable'. driver was then at fault for his attempted clearance and then balogh for not saving it.

 

a combination of errors from all 3 players cost us that goal on saturday and possibly the 3 points.

 

a poor, poor goal to concede, it really was schoolboy stuff

 

I think that Balogh should have turned the ball round the post. There was no pace in the shot.

 

Celtic had got the breaks from about 3 challenges before the goal. But Balogh should have saved it. He looks very shakey at times.

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LloydtheBartender

i agree that balogh should have saved it. but i also think karapidis should have made a challenge and i think driver should have made more of his clearance.

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i agree that balogh should have saved it. but i also think karapidis should have made a challenge and i think driver should have made more of his clearance.

 

correct

 

but as I said Balogh imo was more culpable - as a specialist goalkeeper - than Driver who is not a defender

 

anyway semantics

 

I get why people are annoyed that Zaliukas doesnt get "clean" praise, or praise without a "but".

 

IMO he hasnt earned it.....yet. Zaliukas entire career to date with Hearts on the pitch has had several "but" moments. Sending offs, bombscare moments etc

 

He's gone 3 games without one. He's barely ever had a word of praise from me, but I was impressed with him Saturday and have said so.

 

See, the tide is turning already :sorcerer:

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hearts_crazy

After the ICT game when Zal passed the ball to the ICT player to set up the equaliser when Lee Wallace was in goals I said I didn't want him to ever play for us again. Reason? I thought it was deliberate, I actually thought he had saboutaged that game such was the stupidity of that blunder.

 

This season he, (like a few others BTW) has proved me wrong as wrong can be. I think he is pretty damned awsome when he is in form. The only problem remains the odd schoolboy lapse in concentration which can cost us. Luckily he hasn't had many of those 'moments' recently, and is becoming an absolute 'must keep' in the Summer holibags.

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he was outstanding at ibrox a few weeks back better in fact than he was on saturday

 

Except for the first half were the whole team looked like a bunch of school kids?!!

 

Zal is another one who is only ever a game away from disater, when he has the right attidute he CAN be amazing but when he does'nt all hell can break loose!! Remember he was the man who thought it was a good idea to punch the falkirk boy, pull down McDonald at tynie, horror back pass to Balogh at fester road......!!

 

After saturdays performance he deserves credit but lets not forget its very easy to slip back into bad habits so lets hope Shabba keeps on top of him!!

 

Good game sat zal.

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Balogh was more culpable but fair point.

 

Driver generally had a poor game, but he has done much more much more consistently in his time at Hearts than Zaliukas.

 

He's earned some leeway with the fans because of his generally consistent important contributions to the team over a 2 year period. He hasnt shown any attitude problems whatsoever and he hasnt petulantly or stupidly got sent off a few times

 

I appreciate that Zaliukas gets a harder time than some other players but if you are suggesting that Zaliukas has brought as much to the team as Driver has then that would be wrong

 

Zaliukas will, when he shows a continued run of form, get the same leeway. I can just about guarantee it.

 

And it isnt about Lithuanians. Elliot has been slaughtered on here. As has Obua. As has Stewart. As has Mole. As has/is Neilson.

 

And my personal view is that had we retained one Lithuanian in particular that we had last season we might be within striking distance of Rangers this year.

 

Perhaps Driver was a poor example.

 

A better one might be Obua. He came in to the team and pretty much the entire Hearts support tore him to shreds, his attitude included gestures towards Hearts supporters etc etc etc.......

 

However, he's come good. And he's rightfully getting the backing he deserves from the support.

 

Zaliukas doesnt seem to be getting this same benefit of the doubt. No matter how good he plays, there's always a "but..."

 

Even as recently as a couple of games ago - Obua was DIRECTLY responsible for GIVING Rangers a goal head start on us at Ibrox. Had that been Zaliukas - this place woulda been in meltdown, but instead - Obua got off fairly lightly, which is mostly down to the fact that we're starting to see that somewhere in amongst those long bandy legs there's a decent player.

 

I just wish that the same treatment would apply to big Zal.

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Guest JamboRobbo
Perhaps Driver was a poor example.

 

A better one might be Obua. He came in to the team and pretty much the entire Hearts support tore him to shreds, his attitude included gestures towards Hearts supporters etc etc etc.......

 

No hint of exageration there.

 

However, he's come good. And he's rightfully getting the backing he deserves from the support.

 

Indeed. Praise where due, criticism where due.

 

Zaliukas doesnt seem to be getting this same benefit of the doubt. No matter how good he plays, there's always a "but..."

 

Thats because there IS a but. As Jammy T said above. The BUT being, he's being god awful plenty of times and has cost us time and again, over a number of seasons.

 

Even as recently as a couple of games ago - Obua was DIRECTLY responsible for GIVING Rangers a goal head start on us at Ibrox. Had that been Zaliukas - this place woulda been in meltdown, but instead - Obua got off fairly lightly, which is mostly down to the fact that we're starting to see that somewhere in amongst those long bandy legs there's a decent player.

 

I just wish that the same treatment would apply to big Zal.

 

It does. However, managing 3 games without costing us a goal does not make him Franz Beckenbaur. Managing 3 games without costing us a goal does not wipe out 3 years of incompetence.

 

Had Obua been ****e for as long as Zal had, he'd have got the same stick for the Ibrox mistake. In fact, had we LOST at Ibrox, he'd have gotten a lot of stick regardless. Was down to the result that he got off lightly, as much as any imaginary vendata against Big Zal, or any favouritism towards Obua.

 

Still, much easier to pretend it's a vendeta, or racism or whatever, rather than accept that (rightly or wrongly) players who play rubbish get stick, and players who play well get praise.

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Indeed. Praise where due, criticism where due.

 

So, are you gonna give Zal the praise where its due for his performance on Saturday, rather than say "but...... he's been pish for 3 seasons"??

 

I didnt say there was any favouritism towards Obua. It was an example, as was the Driver one, that other players can make mistakes and not have them cast up after a good performance.

 

Noone watches Driver have a good game, dishes out praise and then chucks on the end "yeah he played amazing today, but..... he still cost us goals against Killie and Celtic".

 

Noone watches Obua and says "yeah, he's proved us all wrong - but he is still murder due to the fact he swore at us and played rubbish earlier in the season".

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So, are you gonna give Zal the praise where its due for his performance on Saturday, rather than say "but...... he's been pish for 3 seasons"??

 

I didnt say there was any favouritism towards Obua. It was an example, as was the Driver one, that other players can make mistakes and not have them cast up after a good performance.

 

Noone watches Driver have a good game, dishes out praise and then chucks on the end "yeah he played amazing today, but..... he still cost us goals against Killie and Celtic".

 

Noone watches Obua and says "yeah, he's proved us all wrong - but he is still murder due to the fact he swore at us and played rubbish earlier in the season".

 

You're making some decent points and its a decent debate

 

I'm still undecided on Obua and would have said as much if there was or I had seen an Obua thread

 

eg he is doing much better after his run in the team BUT (:sorcerer:) he doesnt seem to have any kind of shot in his locker and he still plays a bit "randomnly".

 

Personally if Obuas form continues as it is I'd be happy enough if he stayed at the club, but he isnt indispensable, and I dont think we would suffer hugely if he werent in the team

 

Much the same as Zaliukas to be honest - although Zaliukas has caused much more angst since his arrival at Hearts than Obua has.... - but we certainly didnt suffer defensively when Zali wasnt in the team

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rudi must stay
He played very well at the weekend. If he did that more often, and didn't repeatedly make horendous blunders to cost us goals, he wouldn't get the stick he gets.

 

last season definatly. This season he's been outstanding, his performances have made the loss of Berra less of a blow than it could have been IMO.

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Guest JamboRobbo
So, are you gonna give Zal the praise where its due for his performance on Saturday, rather than say "but...... he's been pish for 3 seasons"??

 

I already said both. He played well on Saturday. But he's been poor way too often in the past.

 

More like Saturday, less like the past, and he'll get praise more often.

 

I didnt say there was any favouritism towards Obua. It was an example, as was the Driver one, that other players can make mistakes and not have them cast up after a good performance.

 

Noone watches Driver have a good game, dishes out praise and then chucks on the end "yeah he played amazing today, but..... he still cost us goals against Killie and Celtic".

 

I think it comes down to having done more good than bad.

 

For me, Drivers done lots of good, and little bad. Everyone makes the odd mistake.

 

On the other hand, whilst Zal played well on Saturday, he's been poor more often than not. He has to play well regularly to earn some credit as Driver has.

 

Noone watches Obua and says "yeah, he's proved us all wrong - but he is still murder due to the fact he swore at us and played rubbish earlier in the season".

 

Agreed. But Obua wasn't poor for as long as Zal has been. It just took him a wee while to adjust to the pace of the closing down in the SPL.

 

I think, had Obua generaly played poorly throughout 3 seasons, then had a good game, he'd be getting the same sort of comments as Zal is getting.

 

Well played on Saturday, but we need to see that sort of performance on a regular basis.

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